It may seem as no big deal to some, considering the pain and suffering many among our numbers are going through, but I know what it’s like myself, having been the “daddy” of many a four-legged friend since I was a wee bairn.

I just learned that our own Fr. Jim lost his friend, Bugsy, to the ravages of time.

You may say that he was “only” a dog, but you would say that only if you’d never had the privilege of having a dog as a member of your family. Dog, spelled backwards, is “God.”

Maybe I’m overly sentimental and prejudiced, but taking your leave of a dog is hard. They, unlike adult humans, love you unconditionally as long as you even try to treat them right. They are always there for you, their loyalties are never in question, and they would happily give their lives for you no matter what. I remember when my own Rottie was a wee little pup, nothing but a furry ball of joy, and I took her with me to pick up the Heirs from school. There she was, no more than a mouthful, but she spotted another dog there who could, without even trying, eat her in one bite. And her only reaction was to jump in between me and that other dog who meant me no harm, I’m sure, but she wasn’t about to take any chances.

She has been like that ever since. She will not leave my side, she will not let me go into the yard without her checking the perimeter first, and she will not even let me horse around with my own sons without first letting me know that she’s watching us and heaven help me if she thinks I’m hurting “her puppies.” I know that no harm will come to my kids or my wife unless my princess is dead first, and she doesn’t care whose hand said harm may be coming from. And all she asks in return is a scratch behind the ears and food and water.

I can come home from work in the pissiest mood you can imagine and she will still love me. No matter what the world throws at me, her joy at seeing her “daddy” will make me smile in a second, and I know that it is for real.

So I know how Fr. Jim feels having had to say goodbye to a friend like that. The bond between you and a dog is not broken without pain. I’m sure that most of you watched the video of the burial ceremony of one of the SEALs recently killed in action where his dog spent the whole time lying in front of his casket.

Well, it goes both ways.

So this is no small thing. “Man’s best friend” is not just a saying, it is true. I’m sorry about Bugsy, Jim, and having buried quite a few friends like that, I know exactly how you feel.

Bugsy is in a better place now and there will be other friends in your future, but right now you need to remember that at no point did Bugsy NOT know that you loved him.

32

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LC Nicki the Resident Misanthropic Bitch

Much love to Jim during this difficult time, and to you bratets moy for posting this.

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August 25, 2011 12:11

LC Ohio Right Wing Nut

Yeah Jim I know what you are feeling, we lost our oldest sons 1st dog a couple of years ago, 10 years old, died of a heart attack after my in-laws took him for a walk just before the boys got home from school. He took it pretty hard it was his 4th birthday present, and he has dad’s temper,… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 13:14

Bones

Jim, my deepest sympathies. I’ve had to put down several family members, most recent one last year. After 10 years, cancer got her. Her sister is still kicking. Got my shepard pup about 2 months later. Turns out the shepard was born almost to the minute that my other girl passed. Give it a couple of few months to grieve… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 13:36

SoCalOilMan, K.o.E.

Fr. Jim, My sincere condolences on the passing of your friend. 10 to 15 years of pure love and devotion from animal that asks nothing of you but a skritch behind the ear or a quick belly rub…God put dogs here to make us better humans. As I write this Ralph, my 13 year old Sheppard, is lying under my… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 13:50

Lady H

My condolences on your loss, Fr Jim. Animals can be such angels….every time I am feeling bad or down, there are my cats (yes, cats can care about you!)

That video brought tears to my eyes.

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August 25, 2011 15:02

LC HJ Caveman82952

The bonds we form with our four legged buddies. I can remember a dog, a cat………it has been thirty years, for both. And to have someone tell me, “It’s only a dog….” I looked at him and said… “Yes, and I am only a man……………:” I think that said it all……. The rainbow bridge………….. A man is very fortunate indeed… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 15:15

Jaybear, Colonel of Imperial Ancient Artillery

I’ve had to help put down a couple of family dogs in the past, they trust you and love you right up until their last breath and that’s what makes it so damned hard. got a 14 year old Cocker Spaniel who is my shadow, I can’t even go to the bathroom without him trailing me in there. He started… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 15:17

LC 0311 Sir Crunchie I.M.H., K.o.E.

I am sorry for your loss Padre. The bond between man and dog is a true gift from God. I remember when I brought my girls home from the hospital. Comanche, our Dobie/Lab mix, curled up between their cribs and wouldn’t budge. He hovered over them like a hawk. He’s an old man now, going on 10, but Lord help… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 15:17

LC Nicki the Resident Misanthropic Bitch

I’m glad our family here understands. When I first came back from deployment, I took my lab Gilbert for a run. My ex didn’t really do much with him during the year and a half I was gone, and Gilbert was out of shape. The next day I could tell he was pretty sore, and when we were walking down… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 15:45

dasbow

I had to send my cat Zippy back to God in January, and it still hurts. She was there for me for almost 19 years, by my side through good times and bad. She’d follow me from room to room, or come when I called, as if she were part dog. (Sorry, Zip. It’s not an insult – I swear!).… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 16:08

FrJim, Imperial Chaplain

Words cannot express my appreciation to each of you offering your prayers, well-wishes, and love. Big thanks to Nicki, who helped me connect to Misha. Your Majesty., I need that email address again. Bugsy remains the greatest friend I’ve ever had. For eight of his 10+ years of life, we shared much: PCS moves, losses, the year-long deployment in the… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 16:23

irish19

I still grieve for my first. She was a good dog, and I still remember sharing a beer with her the night before she went. She was nearly 16, and we think she got into something in the garbage she shouldn’t have and that was what did her in. The bit about the Rainbow Bridge in Caveman’s post seems to… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 16:41

Imperial Grammar Hun, G.L.O.R

Fr. Jim, I don’t think I ever cried as much in my life as I did when I had to put down my cocker spaniel..not even when my grandmother died. It was on a Monday he died; we were scheduled to go home for Thanksgiving. My callous ex said, “well, now you can enjoy your vacation.” Jerk. I have lost… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 16:53

LC FORGER - Monster Hunter

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August 25, 2011 18:09

LC FORGER - Monster Hunter

My condolences Jim. I had to help out my closest friend of 16 years last August, we raised her from 3 weeks old, and it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. But I know I did the right thing because she’s not suffering anymore and that she’s waiting for me at The Rainbow Bridge. I’m not sure… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 18:21

LC HJ Caveman82952

What did we do to deserve such loyalty, how did we share to receive such love…how? In my case certainly not in the way I behaved………yet I did discover one thing over the years……for when you send them Home, tears falling on your friends fur………they knew you loved them enough to let them return Home, without pain and fear….to stay… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 19:15

lc purple raider

I am truly sorry for your loss, Jim.

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August 25, 2011 20:12

LC Ogrrre - Imperial Heartless Bastard

Where did all the dust and pollen come from? Jim, I know your loss. I had a dobie/german shepard/kangaroo mix that my first daughter named Sally. (I saw her daddy clear the back fence, so I know he had to be part kangaroo.) That dog was a hunting fool. She had different barks for different critters she was trailing. You… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 21:26

LC 0311 Sir Crunchie I.M.H., K.o.E.

LC Ogrrre @ #: Reminds me of one of my favorite Jerry Clower stories. I know I’ll butcher it, and so much of his comedy is his timing and inflection, but here goes anyway. Ol man Ledbetter had a coon dog that had the reputation of being the best coon dog in all of Mississippi. A rich doctor from Tupelo… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 21:44

Azygos

Fr. Jim

Tears are the rain that make love grow.

My prayers for you.

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August 25, 2011 21:55

Virago

FrJim, My condolences to you for your loss. Losing a beloved dog is very hard. I too have had to put 4 of my best friends to sleep and it is an awful experience. My current dog is named Draco and he is 135 lb love. He is Mastiff/Black lab. The vet is amazed he is still here at 10,… Read more »

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August 25, 2011 23:23

lc purple raider

I concur, get another dog from the pound, they will never forget you if you rescue them…

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August 25, 2011 23:34

Lady M-ITT™-Imperial Sniper G.L.O.R

My heart goes out to you Fr. Jim. We lost our beautiful Nikki last summer and I still cry about it if I dwell on it too long. Between arthritis and cancer, I simply could not let her go on suffering, so I made the very painful decision to let them put her to sleep. It hurts like hell, I… Read more »

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August 26, 2011 00:02

LC Xystus

The problem with pets… 🙁

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August 26, 2011 04:51

BigDogg - Imperial Thread Killer (ITK)

FrJim, Let me add my condolences and prayers for your loss. I can’t say it better than it’s already been said above. Dogs love us unconditionally, and to have a dog for any length of time is to catch a glimpse of understanding at how our Heavenly Father loves us. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that dog is an… Read more »

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August 26, 2011 09:46

nealinnevada

My condolences Jim…I’m still trying to be the person my dogs think I am.

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August 26, 2011 09:57

MasterGuns Imperial Swampmaster

As most of you know, I have critters. 4 hounds, 3 yotes, 5 goats and about 20 or so garage cats.

I have buried quite a few out back over the years.

Padre…….you’ll see Bugsy again when it’s time to cross Bifrost Bridge.

You have my condolences…….I buried Girl just back in Feb.

Semper Fi

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August 26, 2011 10:26

FrJim, Imperial Chaplain

As this thread clearly shows…pet grief is a real human experience. The many words of comfort – and your many stories of similar joyous and painful events – leave me touched and feeling loved by you all. This is a place of healing, folks, despite the way many of us catterwahl about the craziness of our world. Another friend of… Read more »

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August 26, 2011 12:37

LC Jackboot IC/A

Padre- In times like these one has to thank the L-rd Above for creating a perfect companion for us, among the animal kingdom. Love without condition is something humans can never quite achieve with each other. Thank you for sharing with us about your dear friend, it reminds us of all our furry friends that we’ve said good-bye to over… Read more »

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August 26, 2011 14:19

LC Sir Rurik, K.o.E.

Fr Jim, I add my sympathies on the loss of Bugsy. Our family has had three dogs, Zsa Zsa and Eva, the Gebark Sisters, and Jolie. All three were were sent by God, and later called back home by the celestial dog whistle. But I am certain that our friends will be waiting or us when we pass along to… Read more »

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August 26, 2011 17:02

LC Draco

I did not read all the posts since it’s 2AM here and it’s been a long day. But my thoughts are there are animal lovers and there are ‘others’. I lost one of my Dalmatians eleven years TO THE DAY I got him. And I was at Ft. Rucker, so I could not even comfort him. My parents had to… Read more »

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August 27, 2011 02:01

LC R6

Words can’t express our sadness.

Dogs are the emotional charcoal filters of life. They suck the bad in life out of you and leave you with hope and joy.